A novel elicitor confers apple resistance to Glomerella cingulata through modulation of flavonoid metabolic pathways.
BACKGROUND Apple is a globally vital economic crop severely damaged by Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) caused by Glomerella cingulata. Current disease management relies heavily on chemical fungicides, but long-term intensive application has triggered pathogen resistance, weakened control efficacy, aggravated pesticide resid...